The trend estimate for total dwelling approvals fell 0.4% in March 2006, the tenth consecutive monthly fall.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwelling units approved rose 2.2%, to 12,484, in March 2006.

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

The trend estimate for private sector house approvals rose 0.3% in March 2006.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector houses approved fell 2.5%, to 8,492, in March 2006.

PRIVATE SECTOR OTHER DWELLING UNITS

The trend estimate for private sector other dwellings approved fell 1.3% in March 2006.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector other dwellings approved rose 13.8%, to 3,766, in March 2006.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVED

The trend estimate for the value of total building approved rose 0.3% in March 2006. The value of new residential building rose 1.3%. The value of alterations and additions rose 0.1%. The value of non-residential building approved fell 1.2%, the fifth consecutive fall after nine months of growth.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for the value of total building approved rose 5.4%, to $5,157.0m, in March 2006. The value of new residential building approved rose 6.1%, to $2,659.3m. The value of alterations and additions fell 14.5%, to $446.6m.

NOTES

REVISIONS THIS MONTH

Revisions to Total Dwellings in this issue are:

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

Total

NSW

-

52

138

436

445

126

1 197

Vic.

-

-

-

3

-

-

3

Qld

3

2

355

471

392

510

1 733

SA

-

-

-

62

4

6

72

WA

-

-

9

18

-

-75

-48

Tas.

-

-

-

-

-

-6

-6

NT

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

ACT

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

3

54

502

990

841

561

2 951

The revisions relate to errors in reported data, including significant reporting errors dating back to 2002-03 for three councils (Murray in NSW and Gold Coast and Mackay in Queensland). These three councils account for half of the revisions.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Paul Pamment on Adelaide (08) 8237 7499.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVED

NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

The trend estimate for the value of new residential building has risen for the last four months.

ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

The trend estimate for the value of alterations and additions to residential buildings rose 0.1% in March 2006.

NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

The trend estimate for the value of non-residential building fell 1.2% in March 2006, the fifth consecutive monthly fall.

DWELLINGS APPROVED

TOTAL DWELLING UNITS

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved has fallen for ten consecutive months.

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

The trend estimate for private sector houses approved has risen for the last three months after falls in the previous six.

PRIVATE SECTOR OTHER DWELLINGS

The trend estimate for private sector other dwellings approved has been in general decline since May 2005.

DWELLING UNITS APPROVED STATES AND TERRITORIES

SUMMARY COMMENTS

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved fell 0.4% in March 2006. The trend fell in New South Wales (-3.8%), South Australia (-0.8%) and Western Australia (-1.5%) but rose in all other states and territories.

The trend estimate for private sector houses approved rose 0.3% in March 2006. The trend fell in New South Wales (-0.6%), South Australia (-0.5%) and Western Australia (-1.3%) but rose in Victoria (+0.8%) and Queensland (+1.6%).

NSW

Vic.

Qld

SA

WA

Tas.

NT

ACT

Aust.

Original

Dwelling units approved

Private sector houses (no.)

1 277

2 708

2 350

677

1 856

217

78

78

9 241

Total dwelling units (no.)

2 365

3 581

3 647

1 078

2 162

277

163

137

13 410

Percentage change from previous month

Private sector houses (%)

12.7

12.2

7.8

13.8

5.5

35.6

1.3

-6.0

10.0

Total dwelling units (%)

2.5

22.0

22.9

27.7

9.5

60.1

94.0

-44.1

16.3

Seasonally Adjusted

Dwelling units approved

Private sector houses (no.)

1 206

2 473

2 107

640

1 694

na

na

na

8 492

Total dwelling units (no.)

2 314

3 319

3 197

1 031

2 039

280

na

na

12 484

Percentage change from previous month

Private sector houses (%)

1.4

0.1

-6.4

3.7

-8.0

na

na

na

-2.5

Total dwelling units (%)

-1.4

6.2

-1.4

9.3

0.2

39.3

na

na

2.2

Trend

Dwelling units approved

Private sector houses (no.)

1 180

2 478

2 085

639

1 767

na

na

na

8 501

Total dwelling units (no.)

2 371

3 174

3 004

836

2 200

234

113

188

12 121

Percentage change from previous month

Private sector houses (%)

-0.6

0.8

1.6

-0.5

-1.3

na

na

na

0.3

Total dwelling units (%)

-3.8

1.1

0.9

-0.8

-1.5

4.9

5.6

5.6

-0.4

na not available

DWELLING UNITS APPROVED

STATE TRENDS

NEW SOUTH WALES

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved in New South Wales has been in decline for the past fourteen months. The trend for private sector houses has fallen for the past nine months.

VICTORIA

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved in Victoria is showing rises for the last four months. The trend for private sector houses shows small rises for the last four months.

QUEENSLAND

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved in Queensland is now showing small rises for the last two months. The trend for private sector houses has risen for the last four months.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved in South Australia is now showing falls over the last five months. The trend for private sector houses has fallen for the last four months.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The trend estimate for total dwelling units approved in Western Australia is now showing falls for the last two months. The trend for private sector houses is now showing falls for the last three months.